William Ruto Nominates Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as Data Commissioner

President William Ruto nominated Lydia Sitienei Chelagat as Kenya's Data Commissioner on November 9, 2026. The nomination follows a recruitment process by the Public Service Commission that shortlisted 13 candidates from 152 applications. Chelagat, who currently serves as the Director of Legal Services and Corporate Secretary at the Communications Authority of Kenya, is slated to succeed Immaculate Kassait, whose non-renewable six-year term began in November 2020.

As head of the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner, Chelagat will oversee the enforcement of the Data Protection Act, 2019, regulating how institutions handle personal information and issuing penalties for violations. The nomination has been forwarded to the National Assembly for vetting and approval.

In a related series of appointments, the government named new chief executives for five state corporations following competitive recruitment. Waweru Karanja was appointed CEO of the Privatization Authority, Peninah Wangare Wahome became CEO of the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya, and Wakhungu Patrick Murunga was named CEO of the Regional Centre on Groundwater Resources Education, Training and Research in Eastern Africa. Additionally, John Washington Agutu and Dr. Janerose Omondi received acting appointments at the National Housing Corporation and the Kenya National Entrepreneurs Savings Trust, respectively.